Lydia Silver

My DMs are open if you have questions about the submission process, but please don't pitch there. If you think I might like it, just send it over. I read everything I'm sent and aim to get back within 10 weeks.

Here's the link to our submissions page, and it also has my email. I can't wait to see what you've written!
darleyandersonchildrens.com/submissions

Almost all my clients are up on our website (with the exception of deals that haven't been announced yet!) so you can take a look and see where my tastes lie. And if you've written something that might be a good fit, my submission guidelines are there too!

All of the above could come in any age range or genre, from 5+ up to cross-over YA. I'm not really looking to expand my PB list at the moment, but I would potentially take on something very funny with a strong series character.

Although my tastes are eclectic, certain things show up in lots of the books I work on:

Angry girls and sensitive boys
Unlikely heroes
Mysteries, murders and conspiracies
Authentic representation
Fantasy with an agenda
Opposites attract friendships
Finding your true self

Quick shoutout too to Unraveller by Frances Hardinge, which I loved with all my heart, but is a terrible example of the books I'd take on. Just shows that your work tastes and your heart tastes can be slightly different.

Some books I read and loved (and wish I represented) last year:

Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Jamie by L D Lapinski
Onyeka by Tola Okogwu
Kitty Quest by Phil Corbett
Loki by Louie Stowell
Heartstopper by Alice Osman
The Inheritance Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I'll always prioritise authors from backgrounds that are underrepresented in publishing - and you don't need to be writing an 'issues' book for me to want to centre your characters and your story. Every kid deserves to see themselves in every type of book.

I'm a sucker for beautiful writing but for me, it needs to accompany an active, exciting story. I'm not the best fit for very introspective or quiet books, even if I love them as a reader.

I love properly commercial books, and when I read submissions I try to picture the kid reader rather than the adult editor. I've got lots of time for slapstick and silliness - particularly if there's a sly cleverness underneath.

Buzzing to be back in the office today with a blank notebook and plenty of plans. 2022 was a great year for #TeamDA and I want to find a couple of stars to make 2023 even better! My #MSWL is in my pinned tweet, but here's some less specific stuff to give a sense of my tastes...

I’m open to ANY book written for a child reader, fiction or non-fiction, any age group - and my tastes will always lean towards the loud, the commercial, and the zeitgeisty. If you’re saying something new, I want to help you say it louder!

As always, across everywhere in my list I’m particularly prioritising and actively looking for creators who identify as underrepresented in publishing. My list is extremely commercial and I want to prove that these voices aren’t niche - they’re commercial too.

I’m really not taking on many picture books at the moment, but if I were to go for something, I’d want it to have a clear hook and also answer a need - a lovely story just isn’t enough for me right now.

For younger readers, I want clever, funny and an immediate hook. I’m particularly interested in author/illustrators and graphic novel creators for this area, but I’d love to see them in other spaces too!

In MG, I’m all about the big, ambitious and cinematic. Send me the next Skandar or Amari!

In YA, I’d love a high-concept romance - think They Both Die at the End or a YA One Day.

Authors, I'm trialing QueryManager for the next couple of months. You can now submit here: QueryManager.com/LydiaSilver

My email is still active if you'd prefer to submit that way! See the thread below for my current #MSWL.

I want to counteract this - I would LOVE to find a great contemporary Jewish story for MG or YA. Anything that isn't historical! I want Jewish rom-com or a Jewish fantasy and just Jewish joy in whatever forms #MSWL

Above all, I’m prioritising books from writers who identify as under-represented in publishing, whether that’s because of their race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, socio-economic background or any other reason. Publishing needs these stories! #MSWL